Community Services Block Grant Scholarship Program
The City of Chicago is now accepting applications for the 2024 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Scholarship Program. The program will award scholarships to eligible students for the fall semester of 2024 to cover the cost of tuition, vocational training, and other approved post secondary education expenses at accredited institutions. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 for income-eligible residents.
Apply by September 20, 2024
Types of Scholarships
Some scholarships are earned by meeting or exceeding certain standards set by scholarship providers. Some scholarships reward a student’s academic achievement or a combination of academics and special talents, traits, or interests. Other scholarships are based on a student’s financial need.
- Financial need
- Merit
- Talent (visual and performing arts, athletics)
- Volunteerism and service
- Religious affiliation
- Organizational affiliations
- Other qualifications
To be considered for most scholarships, students will have to submit applications that require basic information including, transcripts, activities resume and in most instances complete an essay.
CPS Academic Works General Scholarship Application Tool
The Academic Works online scholarship application system and management tool provides information about scholarship opportunities specifically for CPS students from middle school through high school, although the majority of the scholarships are for the group of students that can apply the funds immediately, high school seniors.
Academic Works simplifies and consolidates the process of researching and applying for scholarships that have been vetted by a CPS professional:
- Enables online application submissions (although some scholarship providers still prefer paper applications)
- Recommends scholarship opportunities that are aligned to students academics, interests, etc.
- Provides information on more than 200 scholarships and free summer programs available to CPS students
- Keeps students and parents informed of new opportunities as scholarships are added to the system year-round
Each school year, senior students are required to complete the General Application within the Academic Works tool to access and apply for scholarship opportunities. The general application becomes available in early August for the following school year. Students in other grade levels can complete a General Application, but it is not required.
Connect to scholarship resources:
- Scholarship Starter Guide for Students for SY 2020-21
- 2020-21 CPS Scholarship Manager Email Blast Registration Form
Tips for Qualifying for Scholarships
Eligibility varies by scholarship, but students can improve their overall chances of winning a scholarship by:
- Getting good grades
- Preparing and practice to do well on the ACT or SAT tests
- Being involved in school clubs and extracurricular organizations (outside of school)
- Submitting thorough college applications
- Submitting applications prior to deadlines and meeting eligibility criteria
- Following directions carefully
- Writing exceptional essays to respond to questions within scholarship applications
For more information about CPS scholarship resources, email CPS Scholarship Manager at CollegeScholarships@cps.edu.
CPS Scholarship Resources
Tools and resources can help your student explore scholarship opportunities and manage scholarship applications.
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CPS Academic Works User Comprehension Guide for 2020-2021
Instructions on how to use the CPS Academic Works web-based scholarship tool.
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List of scholarship opportunities, eligibility details, and application deadlines by month and grade level.
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Opening and closing dates for each scholarship entered into Academic Works, plus postsecondary and scholarship events for students and parents.
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CPS Scholarship Alert Sign-Up Form
Sign up to receive email alerts to scholarship opportunities for postsecondary study and academic enrichment.
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Check the alerts log for scholarship announcements if you are not on the email list for CPS Scholarship Alerts or if you can't find the original message.
Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship is the largest national scholarship for minority student leaders. Each year CPS students are recipients of this prestigious and highly selective award. Chicago Public Schools is one of the only school districts that prepares rising senior students for the Gates Scholarship. Gates Information Sessions are hosted in June. Check with your school counseling department for more information.